Social recruiting is an effective way to make direct connections to savvy individuals and attract employees that fit with your company culture and core values. In fact, in a study conducted by the recruiting software platform specialist Jobvite among 800 HR and talent acquisition professionals, 89% of U.S. companies said they would recruit through social media, up from 83% the prior year. Furthermore, two thirds of the respondents confirm that they have successfully hired a candidate through social networks. With a rating of 7 out of 10, social media ranked fourth in terms of the quality of applicants, behind referrals, internal transfers and direct sourcing but before a company’s own career site.

For decades consumers have been asking businesses to listen to their petitions, complaints and suggestions. Thanks to social media we’ve made the leap and companies are more exposed than ever to people’s opinions and, in many cases, they have no idea what to do with them. Today we analyze how organizations can best confront this situation.

Businesses that are principally B2C are facing something so completely new that 10 years ago it didn’t even exist, and without much time for preparation they must redeisgn the way they connect with consumers. Social media has changed more than just the way people communicate. Companies are each day more connected internally, but towards the outside it is costing them to face direct opinion, in a very public way.

Renowned management guru Peter Drucker said the most important functions of a business are marketing and innovation. Like most of Drucker’s insights and predictions, this statement is even truer today than it was several decades ago. Marketing and innovation are not simply functional departments; they are the catalyst for business growth, competitive advantage, and a customer centric culture. When businesses create a culture that encourages everyone to think like a marketer, it stimulates innovation across the company to anticipate and respond to changing customer needs. 

The driving force behind the need for a greater marketing orientation is the major shift of power that has occurred as consumers actively participate in social media. Businesses today are challenged by consumers who are informed, demanding, and empowered.

With a charming, friendly personality that showed through, and surely contributes to her ability to drive being social, Randi Zuckerberg was the center of attention on the World Marketing Forum stage, discussing the most important aspects to have in mind during our exchange with the online community. Who do we want to be on networks? Ask Mark Zuckerberg’s sister, who formerly led Marketing at Facebook. In the following she explains the 10 ways to secure your relationship with clients and reach even more people.

1)      A life of luxury without spending a fortune: Who wouldn’t like to have a better economic situation for less money? Surely everyone. Zuckerberg used online platforms such as TaskRabbit, who found a niche market for exchanging housework, or Rentatherunway that allows you to be dressed by a couture designer for much less than what it would cost to buy the outfit.

2)      Create a loyalty program that is forward-thinking: loyalty isn’t always synonymous with a gift, but can also be an emotional experience exclusive for clients. For example, there are many companies that give access to the latest news and deals if you are a Facebook fan, making you feel special. Or even publishing pictures you’ve sent making you….famous!

Continue reading more to learn the rest of Randi’s trends.

CityVille, Zynga Poker, FarmVille, Empires & Allies…surely you’ve heard of at least one if not all of these games, and played them on Facebook or know someone else who has. They are some of the most used applications on the social network created by Mark Zuckerberg, with over 220 million users. But who are behind these high impact social games in online communities?

The game developer firm Zynga is responsible for their success, and is causing a rage on the web denominated “hidden object games”, including the hit Hidden Chronicles. According to Cara Ely, the Creative Director at Zynga, they are yet another opportunity to interact, socialize and share on networks. In the following exclusive WOBI interview, the computer game specialist with over twelve years in the industry discusses the future of apps, and the necessary characteristics to achieve a great game.

The impact of social media is becoming stronger each day, and crossing borders to affect all areas of business. From how we sell to how we communicate, everything is going on through an extensive digital community. If you aren’t present on social networks, you aren’t really alive.

In a context where there is a lot to learn, adapt, and reform, marketing is one of the disciplines seen as having the most influence through these new channels. Experts such as Joseph Jaffe have stepped up to the challenge that for many companies is just beginning: becoming digital.

Recognized in the areas of innovation, marketing and social networks, Jaffe is an entrepreneur and recognized blogger and podcaster. Through his three books—the most recognized being Flip the Funnel—Jaffe nurtures a conversation between businesses and the consumer. In the following exclusive WOBI interview, Jaffe reveals the advantages of social media for your business, the importance of constructing a connection with the client, and the power of word of mouth.

Former New York Times social media director Soraya Darabi is one of the founders of Foodspotting.com, an online mobile service that uses geolocations to help users find their favorite food, no matter where they are in the world. Considered a social media visionary, she recognizes the importance of a marketing strategy that incorporates new digital and social platforms. A believer in the power of community, she outlines five tips on engaging community, incorporating new platforms, and being more social in this exclusive WOBI interview.

There’s a lot of talk these days about social media and its possible implications. However, we still don’t fully understand the true potential of this tool. Imagine the possibilities as we continue expanding our uses of social networks…a connection of this magnitude, allowing for unprecedented interaction, is in effect transforming the world of business.